Justification This species is classified as Near Threatened, owing to its small range and population. There is no evidence that either its range or population is in decline. However, evidence of such declines may qualify the species for uplisting to a higher threat category.

Family/Sub-family Accipitridae

Species name author Kaup, 1850

Taxonomic source(s) Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,000 - 3,000

unset

601,000 km²

No

Range & population Circaetus fasciolatus occurs from southern Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique to north-eastern South Africa, extending up the Save River (Mozambique) to south-eastern Zimbabwe². It is generally found within 20 km of the coast, except along major rivers⁷, in the lower Tana River forests in Kenya, the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania, and in Zimbabwe². It is uncommon, occurring at low densities, over most of its range^2,8 but may be locally common in the East Usambara Mountains⁶. In South Africa, where it has suffered a range reduction (no longer found in the southerly part of its former range), the total population is only 40-50 pairs⁴. It has been recently recorded in only 16 out of 31 coastal forest blocks in Kenya and Tanzania³, and a more recent survey recorded it in only 24 out of 41 forests¹.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It is a secretive raptor feeding almost exclusively on snakes and lizards², but also taking rodents, amphibia, arthropods and birds⁷. It is confined mainly to dense coastal and riverine forest, also ranging into adjacent marshes and floodplains⁷. The species is sedentary and resident throughout much of its range, except for some movement north into Kenya during the dry season (May-September). Egg-laying occurs in July-October in East Africa and September-October in southern Africa. Its small nest is constructed from sticks and located in an upper fork of a forest tree. The clutch-size is one⁷.

Threats Coastal forest is threatened with degradation and fragmentation (particularly along rivers)⁷ as a result of the extraction of wood for use as timber, charcoal, poles and firewood³. In Mozambique, it probably no longer occurs on the coast between the Limpopo and Save rivers due to human population pressure and deforestation, while the population south of the Save river is probably fewer than 50 birds⁵.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct regular surveys to monitor the population. Monitor rates of forest clearance and degradation in its range. Increase the area of protected habitat across its range.

References 1. L. Bennun in litt. (1999). 2. Brown et al. (1982). 3. Burgess and Muir (1994). 4. Harrison et al. (1997a). 5. V. Parker in litt. (1999). 6. Stuart and Hutton (1977). 7. del Hoyo et al. (1994). 8. Seddon et al. (1999).

Text account compilers Mike Evans (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Pete Robertson (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Leon Bennun (BirdLife International), Vincent Parker (Endangered Wildlife Trust)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Circaetus fasciolatus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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